ROMAN burial sites found by archaeologists have been desc-ribed as some of the most important in Britain.

They were discovered during a survey on land next to the A2 in Gravesend.

Oxford Archaeology made the finds during surveys for Skanska Construction undertaken before work started on the Highways Agency Pepperhill to Cobham road-widening project.

Burial sites for three high-status Romans have been unearthed, containing belongings such as bronzewear, gaming boards, clay vessels and fashion accessories.

Oxford Achaeology is an independent practice which undertakes excavations before work starts on developments.

One of the archaeologists involved in the dig, Tim Allen, says the find makes the area one of Britain's most important Roman sites.

He says they had hoped to find a Roman enclosure in the area but had not expected such a major discovery.

Mr Allen said: "At the bottom of a pit, we came across the metal handles of a wooden board and later a set of 23 glass counters and two bone dice, suggesting we had found a gaming board.

"These finds mostly occur in graves, so we took down the other half of the pit and, sure enough, it was full of grave offerings."

The skeletal remains of half a pig, believed to have been offered as food for the afterlife, was found along with two other burial sites.

One contained 15 pots, a bronze jug and a flat pan with a ram's head handle alongside another folding games board, more pig bones and a cremation brooch, as well as a box of bronze make-up tools and a comb.

Some of the finds have been shown at the visitor centre at Shorne Wood Country Park, Brewers Road, Shorne, Gravesend.

The archaeologists will continue their work for up to two months Their work has not affected the development's schedule it is due to be completed in December 2008.